Pakistan’s Climate Crisis Deepens: Musadik Malik’s Bold Fight for Water Justice and Environmental Survival

Pakistan’s climate minister, Musadik Malik, is stepping into his role during one of the country’s most perilous environmental moments. From disappearing glaciers to growing interprovincial tensions over water distribution, Malik’s portfolio is both complex and critical. In an exclusive interview with Dialogue Earth, he lays bare the reality of Pakistan’s fight against climate collapse, calling for climate justice, transparency, and international accountability.

Musadik Malik: A Minister with a Mission

Recently appointed as Pakistan’s federal minister for climate change and environmental coordination, Musadik Masood Malik brings a sense of urgency to his new role. Previously handling the Ministry for Water Resources and Petroleum, Malik now shoulders the responsibility of navigating a nation threatened by climate disasters on multiple fronts.

In his words, Pakistan faces three monumental challenges: air pollution, water pollution, and solid waste management. But among all, he emphasizes one threat above all: “It’s our glaciers,” Malik says. “We are the frontline of climate change.”

Glaciers at Risk: The Melting Heart of Pakistan

Before heading to Karachi, Malik visited Gilgit-Baltistan, home to over 13,000 glaciers—more than anywhere outside the polar regions. These glacial reserves are rapidly melting due to rising global temperatures, threatening lives and livelihoods downstream.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, Malik observed projects aimed at mitigating Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). These initiatives, part of a United Nations-backed effort, are vital to Pakistan’s resilience in the face of a warming world.

He warns: “Populations have shifted over time. People now live in high-risk zones. What if they’re in the direct path of these hazards?”

Alt Text: Pakistan’s climate minister inspecting glacier region in Gilgit-Baltistan

Water Politics and Provincial Tensions

Back in Karachi, the minister contends with another climate crisis: interprovincial water disputes. The controversial six canals project in Punjab has sparked outrage in Sindh, which fears reduced water flow from the Indus River.

Malik calls for trust and technology to solve the impasse. His proposal: a national water telemetry system at all critical junctures. This system would ensure transparent water tracking, enabling equitable distribution across provinces.

“Every drop of water must be accounted for,” says Malik. “We need data, not disputes.”

He insists on dialogue and consensus. “No unilateralism. Provinces must be consulted. This is about building mutual trust through science.”

IMF Climate Funding and Global Climate Justice

Earlier this month, Pakistan secured a US$1.4 billion loan from the IMF Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), aimed at tackling climate-related risks. While this marks a financial victory, Malik remains cautious.

“We’re still recovering from the 2022 floods. Pledges were made but not fulfilled,” he says. “It often feels like a theatre of disaster—eloquent speeches but no real action.”

At forums like the Geneva Climate Summit, Malik has emerged as a passionate advocate for climate justice, criticizing the unfair distribution of global climate funds.

“What about the rest of the world? What about Pakistan?”

Pakistan has renewed calls for accelerated disbursement from the Loss and Damage Fund, yet Malik questions whether the global climate finance architecture serves the vulnerable.

Indus Waters Treaty Under Threat

Amid renewed tensions with India following the Pahalgam attack, India has unilaterally suspended the Indus Waters Treaty—a vital bilateral agreement regulating water sharing.

Malik accuses India of repeated violations: “They don’t provide essential water flow data. They ignore the requirement for regular commissioner meetings.”

“If this treaty has no value,” Malik asserts, “then no treaty in the world does.”

He insists that disputes should go through the established mechanisms—bilateral dialogue, technical expert consultations, and ultimately the court of arbitration. Anything else, he warns, destabilizes not just water-sharing but regional peace.

Cultural and Human Cost of Climate Change

Beyond politics and policies, Malik speaks of a deeper, more poetic loss.

“Where are the butterflies and fireflies? Where are the green parrots? Have you seen them lately?” he asks.

These reflections reveal the emotional and cultural dimensions of Pakistan’s environmental crisis. “Climate change doesn’t just destroy infrastructure—it erodes memory, identity, and community.”

He emphasizes that women and children suffer disproportionately during climate disasters. “We lose schools, clinics, access. Entire generations are disrupted.”

Conclusion: The Road Ahead for Pakistan’s Climate Minister

As Pakistan’s climate minister, Musadik Malik faces monumental challenges—from melting glaciers and water wars to inadequate global funding. Yet his strategy is grounded in transparency, science, and justice.

He envisions a future where Pakistan isn’t merely a victim but a vocal leader in the global climate conversation. His vision calls for real commitments, not empty pledges; for solidarity, not silence.

“I’m lobbying not just for Pakistan, but for all the vulnerable,” Malik concludes. “We need climate justice, and we need it now.”

Internal Links

• Pakistan’s 2022 Floods: What Went Wrong?
• Glacial Lake Outburst Floods in Gilgit-Baltistan: Rising Risk
• Indus Waters Treaty Explained

External Links

• Dialogue Earth – Original Interview
• United Nations Climate Project on GLOFs
• IMF Resilience and Sustainability Facility